YOU would struggle to find a footballer as grounded as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The reason for his down-to-earth outlook on life comes from his family background but also from one terrifying moment which every up-and-coming player dreads.

Little more than two years ago, the Arsenal and England midfielder was told he was not big enough or good enough to earn a scholarship at Southampton.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, now 19 and one of English football’s best prospects, was given just two months to prove himself and fulfil his dream of turning professional like his dad, ex-England winger Mark.

Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “I didn’t feel I had to follow in his footsteps, I just knew I wanted to.

“I was like any young kid – I wanted to be a footballer. But at the same time my mum and dad were making me do my school work and that was important too.

“People at school used to assume I was going to be a footballer and it was only when I was 16 at Southampton that I had my first doubt.

“Southampton said I wasn’t big enough but it was just because I hadn’t grown. Simple as that.

“Some boys grow quicker than others. From the age of nine to 12 I was one of the higher achievers in the age group.

“When I was 14 everyone shot up and I didn’t shoot up until I was 16. So during those two years when I was coming up to that age, Southampton said, ‘We don’t think you can cope’.

“They were going to release me then but they said, ‘Technically you are one of the best players in the squad – you just can’t effect the game’. That's what they kept saying to me. They informed me I had two months to get a scholarship. They told me there was a lad who was going to get it ahead of me.

“That was the first time I realised I might have to say to my friends, ‘I am coming to college with you lot’.

“They gave me two months and I was the last player to get the scholarship in my age group.

“They gave me two months over Christmas. I went away, I worked a lot in the gym. I did extra running and worked with my dad a lot.

“At the same time I was looking at colleges thinking, ‘Oh I don’t want to go there, I want to be a footballer’.

“I probably would have done geography or PE but I didn’t give it too much thought.

“I came back and got my scholarship and six months later I was in the first team. I never looked back.

“When it levels out and you get to 17 and 18, ability takes over to a certain extent and that is when I pushed on again.”

That has been the story of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career.

Just a year after signing his first professional contract at Southampton he joined Arsenal.

His progression into England’s Euro 2012 squad was even quicker.

It has been a remarkable career and yet those difficult beginnings coupled with a well-balanced upbringing by his dad Mark, mum Wendy – a sports physio – along with younger brother Christian, now a promising midfielder at Portsmouth, has kept his feet on the ground.

Oxlade-Chamberlain added: “My mum and dad both used to have an input in my career.

“My mum made sure I’d do my school work and she’s having World War Three with my little brother now, making sure he’s doing his work on GCSEs.

“My dad always pushes me, tries to make me do better and maybe that’s what gets the best out of me.

“I scored a goal last Wednesday and he hasn’t even mentioned it. I’ve spoken to him three times on the phone today and I’m waiting for him to say, ‘Not a bad goal son’. He hasn’t said a word to me!

“I’m a bit more like my mum like that. I want people to like me and I care what people think.

“My dad’s very chilled out. My mum’s the drama queen.”

If mum and dad have provided the life skills then it is Arsene Wenger who is maintaining the football education with Arsenal.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is hoping he will graduate this term with a trophy while the Gunners are also close to tying him down to a new long-term contract.

He said: “The boss always lets you express yourself. With the way we play, we’re quite intricate and maybe sometimes people would say we take risks with the ball, but that’s because we have confidence and belief in our own ability all over the pitch.

“That’s how he brings out the best in young players. When I first came, stepping into the Premiership, I had a lot to learn and I learned a lot from them.

“He used to say I had the natural ability, we just needed to tune the rest of the game in, and that will come with time. A year later, it has improved but he’s still saying that to me. Always trying to improve you.

“He has that aura about him – you’re not scared of him and you can speak to him.

“But you respect the gaffer so much you don’t want to mess up in front of him.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain will get the chance to show off his skills as Arsenal get set to face Chelsea today.

He said: “Every game in the Premier League is not easy. Chelsea are no different.

“They have fantastic players and we will respect them like they deserve to be respected.

“But at the same time we are confident in our own abilities and we will play our own game, the Arsenal way.”